to not mind my in laws buying my 5yo dd a tablet for Xmas, but worrying she'll think it is shite cos she is used to my iPad?

[stopthebusiwanttogetoff]

Sorry - just that.

I think the main problem is that you get different games on iPad and android and if it's a cheap tablet, then some games she might have played on the iPad may not be compatible with the tablet.

I gave DS my old phone because I didn't want him playing on my new one, thinking he wouldn't know the difference, but then there was a game which worked on my phone and not my old one, and he was always asking to play on mine because of that. Now, again, we have a tablet and the phones and the tablet runs better games than my phone, he sees an advert for the new game and wants to play it, but it only works on the tablet. Hence, he is asking to play the tablet more often because it's something new and different.

Then he threw it on the floor too many times in temper and I decided he isn't really old enough to have an expensive gadget like that even if it is an old one, so I took it off him. He can still play games on mine but he has to ask!

Oh, he threw the phone, not the tablet! He would not be allowed NEAR the tablet if he threw that!

Again thanks to those who have thoughtfully and helpfully answered my question.

Don't worry the rest of you, my children do skip outside through fields and go rock pooling, and they can even fucking read! It's amazing.

It sounds like I should try to persuade the inlaws to that a tablet might not get used, as she is used to the iPad format as posters have said, and perhaps they might consider NOT spending this years hundred and putting it towards an iPad in a few years time. They won't btw, but I can but try.

"My would choose £100 of books over a tablet."

Well that's nice but it doesn't help the OP's dilemma does it? Maybe she has loads of books and board games as well as a tablet, but don't let your feeling of superiority get in the way of the facts eh.

OP, I think she'll probably just enjoy that it's her own and will love it more for that reason alone. Can't guarantee it'll keep her off your iPad though!

My dd 11 have just asked for a NEXUS, we already have an ipad (although old 1st generation). Does it really do anything much better?

I wanted to get her a PLAN charity subscription but not sure if we can commit for 10 years or more as I am working as a carer at the moment?

I suppose you are just saying is it worth having another one that's what I am wondering?

I see where you're coming from OP and my kids have barely any techie stuff at all. In fact we bought the three of them a tablet between them last year but because they are used to using an Ipad in school they did indeed get a bit frustrated. They are FAR from spoilt and none of them complained at all or said they'd wanted an Ipad (as far as they were concerned it WAS an Ipad) but they didn't understand why they couldn't do the same stuff with it as they could with their school Ipad.

Could your inlaws spend that kind of money on a really special day out? Like a trip to Build a Bear and a meal or a trip to a show/panto plus a meal?

I'd ask them to get her a £100 dolls house if she hasn't got one?
Or playmobil or Lego
The Lego Friends house is awesome

When shes 10 maybe a tablet

When she's 12 a laptop

Or else where do they go from here? A pony at 6? Car at 7?

I think she must definitely will notice the difference. I'm
Laughing at the comments on here! (Esp the adoption one). In all honesty op yes she will think its naff compared to the iPad. My 2 dc both have iPads. Ds is 8 and has had one since he was 4 and my dd is 4 and got one for her birthday. The educational apps are incredible and we carefully monitor their usage. My ds has cerebral palsy in his right side so the iPad gives him incredible access to the internet via a simple touch screen. We have bought him the iPad air for Christmas as an update. My daughter is wise beyond her years with an amazing vocabulary and can already read. They do not use them 24/7 nor do they use them as 'gaming' devices. I genuinely think I am a responsible parent. Just moving with the times. They have lots of other interests too - dd loves a pencil and note pad. They are also not spoilt and appreciate they are lucky to have an iPad each.

Donkey I think if she is happy with the nexus then stay with the nexus. No the iPad doesn't do anything that much astoundingly better, but to a 5 year old who is used to playing her favourite games, being presented with "your very own one!" that doesn't do any of the games she likes feels a bit pointless. She'll always be wanting to go on the other one.

Some of you need to step into 2013. Children are adept with gadgets these days, it's the future for them. I know toddlers who can find something quicker on a tablet than I can! Knowledge of technology is not any less important than skipping through fields and playing Pictionary.

Altinkum - I was merely making a suggestion as it seemed the OP was only considering a gadget and I feel books and games are forgotten in this electronic age we live. I obviously do not think I am a better parent because I played some games with my son recently. I was reminding people how great board game can be.

Same to you Tweazles - I was making an alternative suggestion.

Jesus.

Or...if birthdays and Christmas are close together and there are siblings, could your parents pool the money and buy a better tablet/Ipad? I don't think it's necessarily that Apple are the best but that I'm not convinced that you can get a great tablet for £100.

You are not being unreasonable.

We have a family ipad that DS (5) has pretty much unlimited access to and it is completely different to our android phones which DS doesn't like using. I don't think a bigger screen would make it any more attractive. Now the novelty has worn off he doesn't use it much anyway. I don't think his own ipad would be a big deal to him either.

We've bought him a Raspberry Pi instead.

She will know the difference. She won't know why or the difference between the brands but she'll know it's different games and slower etc.

I've had your exact situation OP. I have a Surface with a few games installed for the DDs, plus they've always played games on my iPhone. Last Xmas, when DD1 was also 5, my mother bought her a very cheap tablet (approx. £20), which she has never played with. Now I'm the first to say that any present costing £20 is very generous, but it is a massive downgrade from what she's used to. Imagine playing ping pong on a Spectrum after you've had a PlayStation....it just feels rubbish. The £20 would have been better spent on something non-electrical. It doesn't mean she's spoilt, but rather she is used to something much better quality, easier to use, faster, etc, so I don't blame her for not feeling inclined to play with something poor quality, when she can just grab my phone and play games on there.

She won't notice the difference.

She's 5 ,she's not an expert on tablets.

They all have game apps etc.

Stop being a tablet snob.

Dd has an iPad, I have a hudl. We both prefer mine.

My 4 year old would have no interest in an ipad-thank god.He prefers fireman sam and thomas toys-you know little kids stuff.Let kids be kids ffs.and yes your dd does sound spoilt.

The ipad snobbery on this thread is making me laugh.

Only an ipad will do daaaarling.

God monopoly is the most boring game ever.

My 6 year old has a tablet AND an imagination!

Why are there always people on these threads that think it's one or the other?

I detest board games and have done so since birth!
OP I wouldtake your IPAD off her for afew weeks and then she'll welcome the tablet.

@ pinupgirl

DD is 5 and I'm looking at the kindle fire for her. And she seems to be one of the last in her class to get a tablet!